Listening & Learning From Nduka Obaigbena

AZUH ARINZE 

We were undoubtedly, and understandably too, in the majority. I am referring to those of us that attended the second edition of the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture organized by the Eze Anaba-led Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

How did I know this? Very simple! Immediately he stepped into the venue, the ambience automatically changed and wore a new look.

While a few rushed to usher him in, some others struggled to walk him to a seat. On taking a seat, sandwiched by two respected journalists who incidentally used to be his staff at THIS WEEK magazine (Taiwo Obe and Lanre Idowu), that section of the Radisson Blu hall, in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, instantly became a pilgrimage centre – with more journalists going to pay their homage.

True confession – I also did. I even asked for a photo-op which the 65-year-old creative genius who told the audience he joined the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on November 11, 1977 gladly and graciously granted.

Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the man I stylishly didn’t mention his name in the preceding paragraphs, was the Lead Speaker at the event and a major attraction for many. He spoke on the topic – Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Media Survival Strategies.

By the way, it was important we listened attentively to him, knowing full well his antecedents and pedigree in the media industry. Okay, let me just take it from TIME, where the world first took note of him. THISWEEK magazine, which he printed weekly in London back then. ThisDay, which revolutionized the newspaper business in Nigeria with the introduction of colour pages. And only recently, ARISE TV, which has been doing wonders in its sector. I won’t mention ThisDay Awards, Arise Fashion Week, ThisDay Music and Fashion Festival and so on because I want to restrict this to the media.

Adorning a white kaftan with a pair of black shoes, a cream bowler hat perched neatly on his head as he delivered his lecture, almost extempore. But as he did, I couldn’t help noting these pertinent points, which, of course, I have continued to chew on:

1. You can’t stop time – where we (the media) are now is inevitable.

2. Mobile phones have changed the fortune of the media – and we must not lose sight of that fact.

3. We didn’t bother about subscriptions initially, but obviously have to do so now.

4. We don’t see vendors anymore and have to change tactics ( the business is actually no longer profitable to them).

5. It’s our responsibility as the media to do more thinking. The more thought we give to our profession, the better we become.

6. One of the reasons we publish newspapers now is advertisement! Many of us get our news online.

7. Intellectual property has to be recognized and paid for – Facebook, Google, Instagram, etc should start paying for using our content.

8. The business is no longer profitable, but we need to continue publishing for the good of everybody.

9. Our survival must come from our audience. So, they must always be carried along.

10. Our audience is the young – and we should connect and work with them.

11. How prepared are we in the event that crypto becomes the new currency (based on what Donald Trump said during one of his campaigns and per chance he becomes the next president of America).

12. The world is driven by tech – and because technology shapes everything, we have to key in.

13. Good journalism will never change – only the means of distribution.

14. In all we do, we must get our facts right, lest we be lumped with the unprofessionals.

15. The biggest threat confronting us now is Artificial Intelligence – even though it’s a machine. “Are we ready for a world that is being changed by AI?” He had asked, before adding: “We can also use it for our good.”

Undone, he reminded all that: “We must take note of changes and trends… AI and mobile phones are next… So, watch out for what we will do next…”

In all, it was a truly enriching and rewarding session, with the creme de la creme of editors and publishers also contributing to the timely discourse.

I look forward to the edition of 2025. How about you?

– Azuh Arinze is publisher/editor-in-chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of bestselling books like The CEO’s Bible 1&2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste Of Success, Anything And Everything Journalism, etc